Network diagnostics

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to automatically check lower level layer test results of an IPTV or iTV network, automatically retrieve inventory data from an inventory system, automatically retrieve a Layer 4 data from a live router by executing a show Class of Service (COS) interface command, automatically compare a COS value with a value from the inventory system to determine a mismatch, and automatically create an alert if the mismatch exists. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to network analysis and morespecifically to automated network fault analysis.

BACKGROUND

Most telecommunication carriers fix faults in their network withtechnicians who manually monitor alarms or tickets generated by alarmdetection systems. When an alarm or ticket appears, technicianstypically use network element specific troubleshooting commands todiagnose and fix the fault. As additional services are provided on suchnetworks, more complexities can arise in diagnosing or troubleshootingsuch networks which can further complicate determining root causes ofnetwork failures or faults.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withat least one among the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 depict an illustrative embodiment of a network andtroubleshooting system operating in portions of the communicationsystems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 9 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method includingsteps to automatically check Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 test resultsof a network, automatically retrieve inventory data from an inventorysystem, automatically retrieve a customer's Layer 4 data from a liverouter by executing a show Class of Service (COS) interface command orshow policy interface command, automatically compare a COS value with avalue from the inventory system to pinpoint any mismatch, andautomatically create an alert if there is a mismatch.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method toautomatically check lower level layer test results of an IPTV or iTVnetwork, automatically retrieve inventory data from an inventory system,automatically retrieve a Layer 4 data from a live router by executing ashow Class of Service (COS) interface command or show policy interfacecommand, automatically compare a COS value with a value from theinventory system to determine a mismatch, and automatically create analert if the mismatch exists.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructionsoperable to automatically check Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3 testresults of an IPTV or iTV network, automatically retrieve inventory datafrom an inventory system, automatically retrieve a customer's Layer 4data from a live router by executing a show Class of Service (COS)interface command or show policy interface command, automaticallycompare a COS value with a value from the inventory system to pinpointany mismatch, and automatically create an alert if there is a mismatch.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a systemhaving a controller to automatically check lower level layer testresults of an IPTV or iTV network, automatically retrieve inventory datafrom an inventory system, automatically retrieve a Layer 4 data from alive router by executing a show Class of Service (COS) interfacecommand, automatically compare a COS value with a value from theinventory system to determine a mismatch, and automatically create analert if the mismatch exists.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is a super head-endoffice (SHO) with at least one super headend office server (SHS) whichreceives national media programs from satellite and/or media serversfrom service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In the presentcontext, media programs can represent audio content, moving imagecontent such as videos, still image content, and/or combinationsthereof. The SHS server forwards IP packets associated with the mediacontent to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregationpoints such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a commonmulticast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing a gateway104 (such as a residential gateway or RG). The access network canrepresent a bank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs)located in a central office or a service area interface that providebroadband services over optical links or copper twisted pairs tobuildings 102. The gateway 104 distributes broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast selections to media devices 108 such as computers ortelevision sets managed in some instances by a media controller 107(such as an infrared or RF remote control). Unicast traffic can also beexchanged between the media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTVmedia system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD). It will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the media devices108 and/or portable communication devices 116 shown in FIG. 1 can be anintegral part of the media processor 106 and can be communicativelycoupled to the gateway 104. In this particular embodiment, an integraldevice such as described can receive, respond, process and presentmulticast or unicast media content.

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portalservices over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixedline media devices 108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of awireless access point 117 providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services,or cellular communication services (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX,etc.). The devices 130 or elements coupled to the access element canserve to provide the network management and monitoring elements asfurther described herein.

A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to building102 which conveys media signals to the media processors 106. The mediareceivers 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network132. Although not shown, the communication system 100 can also becombined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributionssystems such as cable TV systems.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a second communicationsystem 200 for delivering media content. Communication system 200 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 100 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of said communication system. The system 200includes a distribution switch/router system 228 at a central office218. The distribution switch/router system 228 receives video data via amulticast television stream 230 from a second distribution switch/router234 at an intermediate office 220. The multicast television stream 230includes Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IPaddress associated with a television channel. The distributionswitch/router system 228 can cache data associated with each televisionchannel received from the intermediate office 220.

The distribution switch/router system 228 also receives unicast datatraffic from the intermediate office 220 via a unicast traffic stream232. The unicast traffic stream 232 includes data packets related todevices located at a particular residence, such as the residence 202.For example, the unicast traffic stream 232 can include data trafficrelated to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another dataconnection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicasttraffic stream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a telephone212 associated with a subscriber at the residence 202. The telephone 212can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To furtherillustrate, the unicast traffic stream 232 can communicate data packetsto and from a personal computer 210 at the residence 202 via one or moredata routers 208. In an additional illustration, the unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from a set-top boxdevice, such as the set-top box devices 204, 206. The unicast trafficstream 232 can communicate data packets to and from the devices locatedat the residence 202 via one or more residential gateways 214 associatedwith the residence 202.

The distribution switch/router system 228 can send data to one or moreaccess switch/router systems 226. The access switch/router system 226can include or be included within a service area interface 216. In aparticular embodiment, the access switch/router system 226 can include aDSLAM. The access switch/router system 226 can receive data from thedistribution switch/router system 228 via a broadcast television (BTV)stream 222 and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams 224.The BTV stream 222 can be used to communicate video data packetsassociated with a multicast stream.

For example, the BTV stream 222 can include a multicast virtual localarea network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/routersystem 228 and the access switch/router system 226. Each of theplurality of subscriber traffic streams 224 can be used to communicatesubscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscribertraffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, andthe nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nthsubscriber. Each subscriber to the system 200 can be associated with arespective subscriber traffic stream 224. The subscriber traffic stream224 can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distributionswitch/router system 228 and the access switch/router system 226 that isassociated with a particular set-top box device 204, 206, a particularresidence 202, a particular residential gateway 214, another deviceassociated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-topbox device 204, receives a channel change command from an input device,such as a remoter control device. The channel change command canindicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channelchange command, the set-top box device 204 generates channel selectiondata that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top boxdevice 204 can send the channel selection data to the accessswitch/router system 226 via the residential gateway 214. The channelselection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/routersystem 226 can identify whether it is joined to a multicast groupassociated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMPJoin request.

If the access switch/router system 226 is not joined to the multicastgroup associated with the requested channel, the access switch/routersystem 226 can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast streamrequest can be generated by modifying the received channel selectiondata. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system 226can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request.The access switch/router system 226 can send the multicast streamrequest to the distribution switch/router system 228 via the BTV stream222. In response to receiving the multicast stream request, thedistribution switch/router system 228 can send a stream associated withthe requested channel to the access switch/router system 226 via the BTVstream 222.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a third communicationsystem 300 for delivering media content. Communication system 300 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication systems 100-200 asanother representative embodiment of said communication systems. Asshown, the system 300 can include a client facing tier 302, anapplication tier 304, an acquisition tier 306, and an operations andmanagement tier 308. Each tier 302, 304, 306, 308 is coupled to aprivate network 310, such as a network of common packet-switched routersand/or switches; to a public network 312, such as the Internet; or toboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. For example,the client-facing tier 302 can be coupled to the private network 310.Further, the application tier 304 can be coupled to the private network310 and to the public network 312. The acquisition tier 306 can also becoupled to the private network 310 and to the public network 312.Additionally, the operations and management tier 308 can be coupled tothe public network 312.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the various tiers 302, 304, 306, 308communicate with each other via the private network 310 and the publicnetwork 312. For instance, the client-facing tier 302 can communicatewith the application tier 304 and the acquisition tier 306 via theprivate network 310. The application tier 304 can communicate with theacquisition tier 306 via the private network 310. Further, theapplication tier 304 can communicate with the acquisition tier 306 andthe operations and management tier 308 via the public network 312.Moreover, the acquisition tier 306 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 304, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 350, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 302.

The client-facing tier 302 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 366, such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE) 314, 322 can be coupled toa local switch, router, or other device of the access network 366. Theclient-facing tier 302 can communicate with a first representativeset-top box device 316 via the first CPE 314 and with a secondrepresentative set-top box device 324 via the second CPE 322. In aparticular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device 316and the first CPE 314 can be located at a first customer premise, andthe second representative set-top box device 324 and the second CPE 322can be located at a second customer premise.

In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top boxdevice 316 and the second representative set-top box device 324 can belocated at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE314, 322. The CPE 314, 322 can include routers, local area networkdevices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any othersuitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top boxdevice and the access network 366, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can be coupledto the CPE 314, 322 via fiber optic cables. In another illustrativeembodiment, the CPE 314, 322 can include DSL modems that are coupled toone or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier302 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Eachset-top box device 316, 324 can process data received via the accessnetwork 366, via a common IPTV software platform.

The first set-top box device 316 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 318, and the secondset-top box device 324 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 326. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 316 can communicate with a first remote control 320,and the second set-top box device 324 can communicate with a secondremote control 328. The set-top box devices 316, 324 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device316, 324 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 302 via the access network 366 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 318,326 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 316, 324 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 318, 326. Further, the set-top box devices 316, 324 caneach include a STB processor 370 and a STB memory device 372 that isaccessible to the STB processor 370. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 374, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 372.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 330 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 302 and the access network 366 and between theclient-facing tier 302 and the private network 310. As illustrated, theCFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such asDistribution-servers (D-servers) 332, that store, format, encode,replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content forcommunication from the client-facing tier 302 to the set-top box devices316, 324. The CFT switch 330 can also be coupled to a terminal server334 that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to theIPTV system 300 via the client-facing tier 302.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330 can be coupled to a VoDserver 336 that stores or provides VoD content imported by the IPTVsystem 300. Further, the CFT switch 330 is coupled to one or more videoservers 380 that receive video content and transmit the content to theset-top boxes 316, 324 via the access network 366. The client-facingtier 302 may include a CPE management server 382 that managescommunications to and from the CPE 314 and the CPE 322. For example, theCPE management server 382 may collect performance data associated withthe set-top box devices 316, 324 from the CPE 314 or the CPE 322 andforward the collected performance data to a server associated with theoperations and management tier 308.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 302 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as therepresentative set-top boxes 316, 324, over a wide geographic area, suchas a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regionalarea, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 302 to numerous set-top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 330, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multipleset-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application tier 304 can communicate withboth the private network 310 and the public network 312. The applicationtier 304 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 338 and asecond APP switch 340. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch338 can be coupled to the second APP switch 340. The first APP switch338 can be coupled to an application server 342 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 344. In a particular embodiment, the application server 342 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 316, 324 via the accessnetwork 366, which enable the set-top box devices 316, 324 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VoD material and other IPTV content, etc. In anillustrative embodiment, the application server 342 can provide locationinformation to the set-top box devices 316, 324. In a particularembodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 includes operation systems andsupport (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data.In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can provide or restrictaccess to an OSS/BSS server 364 that stores operations and billingsystems data.

The second APP switch 340 can be coupled to a domain controller 346 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 368via the public network 312. For example, the domain controller 346 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 312. In addition, the second APP switch 340 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 348 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 300 via the private network 310 or the public network 312. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 348 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 316, 324. In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriberand system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-topbox devices associated with particular customers.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 304 can include aclient gateway 350 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 302. In this embodiment, the client gateway 350 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 330. The client gateway 350 can provide useraccess to the private network 310 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 316, 324 can access theIPTV system 300 via the access network 366, using information receivedfrom the client gateway 350. User devices can access the client gateway350 via the access network 366, and the client gateway 350 can allowsuch devices to access the private network 310 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 350 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 310, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 366.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 316accesses the client-facing tier 302 via the access network 366, theclient gateway 350 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 348 via the private network 310.Further, the client gateway 350 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 344 via the privatenetwork 310. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 344 can transmit aquery via the public network 312 to the OSS/BSS server 364. After theclient gateway 350 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 350 can allow the set-top box device 316 to access IPTVcontent and VoD content at the client-facing tier 302. If the clientgateway 350 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 316, because it is connected to an unauthorized twisted pair, theclient gateway 350 can block transmissions to and from the set-top boxdevice 316 beyond the access network 366.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the acquisition tier 306 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 352 that communicates with the private network 310.The AQT switch 352 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 308 via the public network 312. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to one or more liveAcquisition-servers (A-servers) 354 that receive or acquire televisioncontent, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, orany combination thereof, from a broadcast service 356, such as asatellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In aparticular embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 can transmitcontent to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352 can transmit thecontent to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 332, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 380 to the set-top box devices 316, 324. The CFT switch 330can receive content from the video server(s) 380 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 314, 322 via the access network 366. The set-top boxdevices 316, 324 can receive the content via the CPE 314, 322, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 318, 326. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

Further, the AQT switch 352 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 358 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 306 and communicates the stored content to theVoD server 336 at the client-facing tier 302 via the private network310. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 306, the VoD importer server358 can receive content from one or more VoD sources outside the IPTVsystem 300, such as movie studios and programmers of non-live content.The VoD importer server 358 can transmit the VoD content to the AQTswitch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn, can communicate thematerial to the CFT switch 330 via the private network 310. The VoDcontent can be stored at one or more servers, such as the VoD server336.

When users issue requests for VoD content via the set-top box devices316, 324, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 366 tothe VoD server 336, via the CFT switch 330. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VoD server 336 can retrieve the requested VoD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 316, 324 across theaccess network 366, via the CFT switch 330. The set-top box devices 316,324 can transmit the VoD content to the television monitors 318, 326. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VoD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 316, 324.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 308can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 360 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 308and the public network 312. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3, theOMT switch 360 is coupled to a TV2 server 362. Additionally, the OMTswitch 360 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 364 and to a simplenetwork management protocol monitor 386 that monitors network deviceswithin or coupled to the IPTV system 300. In a particular embodiment,the OMT switch 360 can communicate with the AQT switch 352 via thepublic network 312.

The OSS/BSS server 364 may include a cluster of servers, such as one ormore CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and storeoperations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top boxdevices 316, 324. In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collectionservers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify acondition of a physical component of a network path associated with aset-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of anetwork path associated with a set-top box device, or any combinationthereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 354 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 352, and the AQT switch 352, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 360 via the public network312. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 360 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 362 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 362. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 362using a personal computer 368 coupled to the public network 312.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from theforegoing media communication system embodiments that other suitablemedia communication systems for distributing broadcast media content aswell as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication systems 100-300 as another representative embodiment ofsaid communication systems.

The communication system 400 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)440, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 430, and network elementsof an IMS network 450. The IMS network 450 can be coupled to IMScompliant communication devices (CD) 401, 402 or a Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN) CD 403 using a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 420 that connects the call through a common PSTN network 460.

IMS CDs 401, 402 register with the IMS network 450 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) supported by the HSS440. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 401 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) messageto an originating P-CSCF 404 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 406. The originating S-CSCF 406 can submit the SIPINVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference 410 thatcan provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. For example, theapplication server 410 can be used to perform originating treatmentfunctions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF406 in the SIP INVITE message.

Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, and/or isrequesting special telephony features (such as *72 forward calls, *73cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on).Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 406 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 430 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 430 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 406 will forward the call to the MGCF 420 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (BGCF) 419.

When the ENUM server 430 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 407 to submit a query to the HSS 440 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 414 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 402. Once identified, the I-CSCF 407 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 414 which can call on anapplication server 411 similar to reference 410 to perform theoriginating treatment telephony functions described earlier. Theterminating S-CSCF 414 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 416associated with the terminating CD 402. The P-CSCF 416 then signals theCD 402 to establish communications. The aforementioned process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 4 can be interchanged.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 530. The portal530 can be used for managing services of communication systems 100-400.The portal 530 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) witha common Internet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer using anInternet-capable communication device such as references 108, 116, or210 of FIGS. 1-2. The portal 530 can be configured to access a mediaprocessor such as references 106, 204, 206, 316, and 324 of FIGS. 1-3and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), anElectronic Programming Guide (EPG), VoD catalog, a personal catalog(such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored inthe STB, a personal computer or server in a user's home or office, andso on.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 600.Communication device 600 can be a representative portion of any of theaforementioned communication devices of FIGS. 1-4. The communicationdevice 604 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 602(herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, a power supply 614,a location receiver 616, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as a Bluetooth wireless accessprotocol, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) access protocol, a Digital EnhancedCordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless access protocol, cellular,software defined radio (SDR) and/or WiMAX technologies, just to mentiona few. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X,UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, and next generation technologiesas they arise.

The transceiver 602 can also support common wireline access technologiessuch as circuit-switched wireline access technologies, packet-switchedwireline access technologies, or combinations thereof. PSTN canrepresent one of the common circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and IP datacommunications can represent some of the commonly availablepacket-switched wireline access technologies. The transceiver 602 canalso be adapted to support IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) protocol forinterfacing to an IMS network that can combine PSTN and VoIPcommunication technologies.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 and anavigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, and/ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wiring interface (such as a USB) or a wirelessinterface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 608 can representa numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a Qwerty keypadwith alphanumeric keys.

The UI 604 can further include a display 610 such as monochrome or colorLCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) orother suitable display technology for conveying images to the end userof the communication device 600. In an embodiment where the display 610is touch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presentedby way of the display. The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612that utilizes common audio technology for conveying low volume audio(such as audio heard only in the proximity of a human ear) and highvolume audio (such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audiosystem 612 can further include a microphone for receiving audiblesignals of an end user.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 600 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 616 utilizecommon location technology such as a global positioning system (GPS)receiver for identifying a location of the communication device 100,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation. Thecontroller 606 can utilize computing technologies such as amicroprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associatedstorage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storagetechnologies.

FIG. 7 depicts a network and a diagnostic system 700 that operates inaccordance with various embodiments herein. The system 700 can include arules engine 702 having diagnostic code or flows 704 that operate inaccordance with the method further discussed with respect to FIGS. 8 and9. The rules engine 702 can be in communication with not only thecustomer 706, but an electronic maintenance crew 708, a work center 710or a local exchange carrier 712. The rules engine 702 can also be incommunication with a customer 714, an electronic maintenance crew 716, aautomated maintenance system (PAM) 718 or a workcenter 720 via a serviceassurance system 726 such as a trouble ticketing system or RUBY system.The rules engine 702 can test the Layer 4 network by obtaininginformation from customer's layer 4 data stored in a server 724 testsystem and comparing such layer 4 data with inventory data at ainventory system 722 such as a Data Base of Record (DBOR) inventorysystem for example.

As a service provider that offers various data services such as BVOIP,IPTV, and other IP-based video services to customers worldwide, aservice provider should maintain better control of the traffic types andensure the quality of service. In this regard, AT&T is employing Layer 4policy-oriented routing techniques including Class of Service (COS),Route Group (RG), Policy Map, Type of Service (TOS), and other routingfunctions. Since a different service demands a different set of routingpolicies including COS, RG, Route Target, BGP Community Values, andRoute Map actions, it inevitably makes service assurance maintenancework more difficult and more challenging as the various networks andservices proliferate.

In case of Layer 4 routing failure, customer networks are up and runningbut they may still lose their routes as well as their services. AT&T,like other telecommunication companies, has come up with techniques asdescribed herein to find the root cause and resolve the problems as soonas possible to minimize the downtime and to mitigate the impact oncustomer services. The embodiments herein enable troubleshooting theLayer 4 problem automatically, thanks to its built-in expert rules. Itlocates the root cause and sends the diagnostic result to an appropriateworkcenter just in minutes or perhaps seconds in future versionsdepending on the problems found. Without this automated tool,technicians would spend hours digging out the Layer 4 networkconfiguration or customer configuration problems. Technicians would haveto check various inventory systems and send various CLI commands to thenetwork to verify the various Layer 4 routing configurations, which istime-consuming and labor-intensive. Although technicians may have accessto the various inventory systems and can retrieve the live routing datafrom the various routers, it also requires certain expertise in order tointerpret the Layer 4 issue from various sources and pinpoint the rootcause in a timely fashion. Highly trained technicians are always scarceand difficult to recruit and the embodiments herein can either resolvesuch issues or provide a further aide to such network technicians.

When Layer 4 routing fails, a customer's Layer 1, 2, and 3 networks canstill be active but the customers will still lose their services.Embodiments herein are able to troubleshoot the Layer 4 problemautomatically, thanks to built-in expert rules. It locates the rootcause and sends the diagnostic result to an appropriate workcenter justin minutes or potentially faster.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 8, method 800 illustrates anexemplary method of how such a diagnostic system can operate. The systemcan first automatically check Layer 1, 2, and 3 test results at 802 andautomatically retrieve inventory data from inventory system likeinventory system at 804. The method 800 can then automatically retrievea customer's Layer 4 data from live router by executing show COSinterface command or show policy interface command at 806. At 808, COSvalue can be compared with that of inventory system to pinpoint anymismatch. In any event, the method can automatically create an alert ifthere is a mismatch between the COS value and the value from theinventory system at 810. The method at 812 can also automatically notifya customer care center if there is a COS value mismatch. The method canalso automatically notify a network care center if there is any networkconfiguration problem. The system at 814 can also automatically retrieveand compare RG data, Community values, Route Target (RT) value byexecuting at 816 a Show bgp neighbor vrf command and can furtherautomatically compare live route data of Route Groups, Route Target,Community List/value/action, and Route Map Action with those frominventory system to find out any discrepancy.

In a specific example, such a system can automatically check COS dataagainst the service that AT&T or another carrier offers to the customer.For example, COS1 is for highly sensitive multimedia service while COS2is for video and critical data service. The system can automaticallynotify a customer care center if the COS value does not match theservice offered. For example, video service has COS4 as Quality ofService though COS1 or COS2 for video transmission may be required. Themethod can also automatically check route priority, TOS, and weightedqueuing against business needs. Such a system or method can alsoautomatically auto-close a trouble ticket if no problem is found. Such amethod and system would enable a “Zero Touch” service assuranceautomation and improve operations efficiency and further support aPolicy-driven Layer 4 routing initiative.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative method 850 operating in portions ofcommunication systems 100-400. Method 850 begins at 851 where a VPNLayer 4 diagnostic routine begins. Test results for Layers 1, 2, and 3or the lower layers are obtained at 852. At decision step 853, if thelower layer tests are not ok, then the system determines that theproblem is not necessarily related to a layer 4 issue and the methodcontinues with lower layer troubleshooting at step 854. If all the lowerlayer tests are ok at 853, then layer 4 inventory data is retrievedincluding COS data, Route Group, Community List data and other similardata at 855. A Show COS interface command with local interface stringcan be executed at 856 and the Live COS data can be mapped to the COSdata from the inventory system at 857. At decision step 858, if there isCOS mismatch, then the network care workcenter is notified for a networkconfiguration problem at 859. If there is no COS mismatch at 859, then ashow IP BGP neighbor command can be executed starting with VRF and CERIP address to get the community data from the network at 860. At 861,the community data is compared with the data from the inventory systemincluding community value, Route Map Action, Route Target (where LiveRoute data should be synchronized with the inventory route data). Onceagain, at a mismatch is determined at a decision step 862 following thecomparison of 861. If a mismatch is found, then the network careworkcenter is notified at 859. If no mismatch is found, then a Showcommunity list command is executed to check the community value at 863.If the route is denied at decision block 864, then the customer carecenter is notified of possible wrong community value. If the route isnot denied at 864, then a Show IP VRF detail command is executed at 866to check a route target value. If an imported Route Target value equalsan imported Route Target value at decision block 867, then the NetworkCare workcenter is notified of a configuration problem at 868. If theimported Route Target value does not equal the imported Route Targetvalue at decision block 867, then Carrier service offering at checked at869 and Quality of Service (QoS) is checked at 870. At decision block871, if the service is voice or video related, then the type of class ofservice is determined at 872. If the COS is not COS1 (EF) or COS2 (BH),then the Customer Care workcenter is notified that voice or videodemands COS2 or higher QoS. If the COS is COS1 or COS2 at 872, then aShow access list command is executed at 874 to check ACL, priority, TOS,and queuing. At 875, the business needs can be checked against thePolicy, QoS, COS, and TOS. If the business needs are being met atdecision step 876, then a trouble ticket can automatically be closed at878 and the customer can be notified of no trouble found. If thebusiness needs are not being met at decision block 876, then the methodcan notify the customer and workcenter to negotiate over the Policy, COSor other parameters as needed.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, a list of inquiriesand data to be gathered for an alarm can be configurable and based ontrap number, switch type, alarm type, alarm text, or alarm reason.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor 902 (such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), amain memory 904 and a static memory 906, which communicate with eachother via a bus 908. The computer system 900 may further include a videodisplay unit 910 (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)), a flat panel,a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system900 may include an input device 912 (such as a keyboard), a cursorcontrol device 914 (such as a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signalgeneration device 918 (such as a speaker or remote control) and anetwork interface device 920.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a computer-readable medium 922 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (such as software 924)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 924may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within the processor 902during execution thereof by the computer system 900. The main memory 904and the processor 902 also may constitute computer-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 924, or that which receives and executes instructions 924from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 926 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 926 using the instructions 924. Theinstructions 924 may further be transmitted or received over a network926 via the network interface device 920.

While the computer-readable medium 922 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (such as acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any mediumthat is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructionsfor execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform anyone or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: retrieving, by a systemcomprising a processor, operating data for layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3of a first router of a plurality of routers interacting with a networkand a computer device responsive to an open trouble ticket associatedwith the computer device; determining, by the system, whether the firstrouter is operating correctly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 accordingto the operating data; retrieving, by the system, inventory data from arouter inventory system associated with the plurality of routersresponsive to determining that the first router is operating correctlyat layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3; determining, by the system, from theinventory data whether the computer device is configured for a firstservice that is related to voice or video, wherein the first servicecomprises a combined video and audio service; retrieving, by the system,a customer's layer 4 data from the first router by executing aninterface command or a show policy interface command, wherein thecustomer's layer 4 data comprises a class of service for the firstrouter, wherein the customer's layer 4 data from the first routercomprises data associated with route groups, route targets, communitylists, and route map actions, and wherein the inventory data isretrieved from the router inventory system to find a discrepancy;determining, by the system, whether the class of service for the firstrouter is equal to a first class of service that is required for thefirst service responsive to determining that the first service isrelated to voice or video; and notifying, by the system, a networkmaintenance facility that the first service demands a higher quality ofservice responsive to determining that the class of service for thefirst router is not equal to the first class of service; comparing, bythe system, a business need of the system against a value of thecustomer's layer 4 data from the first router to determine if thebusiness need will be met, wherein comparing the business need of thesystem comprises verifying a route priority, a type of service, and aweighted queuing against a stated business requirement; notifying, bythe system, the network maintenance facility that the first router willnot meet the business need according to determining that the businessneed will not be met; comparing, by the system, the customer's layer 4data from the first router to a service offered to determine if thecustomer's layer 4 data does not match the service offered; notifying,by the system, a customer care center if the customer's layer 4 datafrom the first router does not match a service offered; closing, by thesystem, the trouble ticket associated with the computer deviceresponsive to determining that the business need will be met; andretrieving, by the system, data associated with a route group, bordergateway protocol community values, or route target values by executing acommand to show virtual private network routing or to show virtualrouting and forwarding.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method isused for troubleshooting internet protocol television networks.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method is used for troubleshootinginternet television networks using specific steps related to the classof service.
 4. A server, comprising: a memory to store executableinstructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsiveexecuting the instructions, the processor performs the operationscomprising: retrieving operating data for layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3of a first router of a plurality of routers interacting with a networkand a computer device responsive to an open trouble ticket associatedwith the computer device; determining whether the first router isoperating correctly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 according to theoperating data; retrieving inventory data from a router inventory systemassociated with the plurality of routers responsive to determining thatthe first router is operating correctly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer3; determining from the inventory data whether the computer device isconfigured for a first service that is related to voice or video,wherein the first service comprises a combined video and audio service;retrieving a customer's layer 4 data from the first router by executingan interface command or a show policy interface command, wherein thecustomer's layer 4 data comprises a class of service for the firstrouter, wherein the customer's layer 4 data from the first routercomprises data associated with route groups, route targets, communitylists, and route map actions, and wherein the inventory data isretrieved from the router inventory system to find a discrepancy;determining whether the class of service for the first router is equalto a first class of service that is required for the first serviceresponsive to determining that the first service is related to voice orvideo; and notifying a network maintenance facility that the firstservice demands a higher quality of service responsive to determiningthat the class of service for the first router is not equal to the firstclass of service; comparing a business need of the system against avalue of the customer's layer 4 data from the first router to determineif the business need will be met, wherein comparing the business need ofthe system comprises verifying a route priority, a type of service, anda weighted queuing against a stated business requirement; notifying thenetwork maintenance facility that the first router will not meet thebusiness need according to determining that the business need will notbe met; comparing the customer's layer 4 data from the first router to aservice offered to determine if the customer's layer 4 data does notmatch the service offered; notifying a customer care center if thecustomer's layer 4 data from the first router does not match a serviceoffered; closing the trouble ticket associated with the computer deviceresponsive to determining that the business need will be met; andretrieving data associated with a route group, border gateway protocolcommunity values, or route target values by executing a command to showvirtual private network routing or to show virtual routing andforwarding.
 5. A non-transitory machine-readable storage device,comprising executable instructions which, responsive to being executedby a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:retrieving operating data for layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 of a firstrouter of a plurality of routers interacting with a network and acomputer device responsive to an open trouble ticket associated with thecomputer device; determining whether the first router is operatingcorrectly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 according to the operatingdata; retrieving inventory data from a router inventory systemassociated with the plurality of routers responsive to determining thatthe first router is operating correctly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer3; determining from the inventory data whether the computer device isconfigured for a first service that is related to voice or video,wherein the first service comprises a combined video and audio service;retrieving a customer's layer 4 data from the first router by executingan interface command or a show policy interface command, wherein thecustomer's layer 4 data comprises a class of service for the firstrouter, wherein the customer's layer 4 data from the first routercomprises data associated with route groups, route targets, communitylists, and route map actions, and wherein the inventory data isretrieved from the router inventory system to find a discrepancy;determining whether the class of service for the first router is equalto a first class of service that is required for the first serviceresponsive to determining that the first service is related to voice orvideo; and notifying a network maintenance facility that the firstservice demands a higher quality of service responsive to determiningthat the class of service for the first router is not equal to the firstclass of service; comparing a business need of the system against avalue of the customer's layer 4 data from the first router to determineif the business need will be met, wherein comparing the business need ofthe system comprises verifying a route priority, a type of service, anda weighted queuing against a stated business requirement; notifying thenetwork maintenance facility that the first router will not meet thebusiness need according to determining that the business need will notbe met; comparing the customer's layer 4 data from the first router to aservice offered to determine if the customer's layer 4 data does notmatch the service offered; notifying a customer care center if thecustomer's layer 4 data from the first router does not match a serviceoffered; closing the trouble ticket associated with the computer deviceresponsive to determining that the business need will be met; andretrieving data associated with a route group, border gateway protocolcommunity values, or route target values by executing a command to showvirtual private network routing or to show virtual routing andforwarding.
 6. A system, comprising: a plurality of memories to storeinstructions; and a plurality of processors coupled to the plurality ofmemories, wherein the plurality of processors, responsive to executingthe instructions, performs operations comprising: retrieving operatingdata for layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 of a first router of a pluralityof routers interacting with a network and a computer device responsiveto an open trouble ticket associated with the computer device;determining whether the first router is operating correctly at layer 1,layer 2, and layer 3 according to the operating data; retrievinginventory data from a router inventory system associated with theplurality of routers responsive to determining that the first router isoperating correctly at layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3; determining fromthe inventory data whether the computer device is configured for a firstservice that is related to voice or video, wherein the first servicecomprises a combined video and audio service; retrieving a customer'slayer 4 data from the first router by executing an interface command ora show policy interface command, wherein the customer's layer 4 datacomprises a class of service for the first router, wherein thecustomer's layer 4 data from the first router comprises data associatedwith route groups, route targets, community lists, and route mapactions, and wherein the inventory data is retrieved from the routerinventory system to find a discrepancy; determining whether the class ofservice for the first router is equal to a first class of service thatis required for the first service responsive to determining that thefirst service is related to voice or video; and notifying a networkmaintenance facility that the first service demands a higher quality ofservice responsive to determining that the class of service for thefirst router is not equal to the first class of service; comparing abusiness need of the system against a value of the customer's layer 4data from the first router to determine if the business need will bemet, wherein comparing the business need of the system comprisesverifying a route priority, a type of service, and a weighted queuingagainst a stated business requirement; notifying the network maintenancefacility that the first router will not meet the business need accordingto determining that the business need will not be met; comparing thecustomer's layer 4 data from the first router to a service offered todetermine if the customer's layer 4 data does not match the serviceoffered; notifying a customer care center if the customer's layer 4 datafrom the first router does not match a service offered; closing thetrouble ticket associated with the computer device responsive todetermining that the business need will be met; and retrieving dataassociated with a route group, border gateway protocol community values,or route target values by executing a command to show virtual privatenetwork routing or to show virtual routing and forwarding.